Allendale, Mich. – The University of Findlay men's and women's track and field teams competed on the first of two days at the GVSU Big Meet on Friday, Feb. 13 in Allendale, Mich. The meet is the largest in the country this weekend with more than 3,000 athletes participating.
Women's Top Results
Junior Leah Smith highlighted the day on the track winning the 200m invitational. Her time of 23.93 marked a season best and the fourth-best time in DII this year.
Freshman Katharina Rupp added another top national mark, placing third in the 400 invitational with a personal-record 55.17, good for No. 14 nationally, while junior Mary Ellis recorded a season-best 56.33 in the same event.
In the distance races, senior Ava Beam led the way with a win in her section of the 5,000 meters, posting a personal-best 17:37.93 to earn the No. 73 time in Division II.
The women closed the night with one of the nation's top relay efforts as Zanri Black, Ellis, Rupp and Smith combined to run 3:41.51 in the 4x400-meter relay, earning an NCAA automatic qualifying mark, a season best and the No. 2 time in Division II.
Men's Top Results
The Findlay men opened the meet with a series of strong performances across the sprints and distance events. Senior K.J. Upshaw led the way in the 60 meters, running a personal-best 6.78 in the prelims, ranking No. 25 in Division II, before finishing second overall in 6.80.
Senior Sherron Jones added a solid effort in the 200 invitational, running a season-best 21.53 to place fifth and move to No. 34 nationally, while Upshaw crosse the line in 21.98.
In the hurdles, senior Julian Griffin posted an 8.20 mark in the 60H. The Oilers' distance crew produced several personal bests, including freshman Billy Dennison's 14:39.53 in the 5,000 meters, placing third in his section and rising to No. 79 in Division II.
Sophomore Benjamin Hall added a 14:41.20 performance to move to No. 93 nationally, while freshman Asher Long ran 14:46.61 and sophomores Elijah Hadler and Luke Ellerbrock registered personal bests of 14:50.62 and 15:08.06, respectively.
